A priest who is pastor of a Catholic parish in Scott Twp. was arrested in Philadelphia on drug charges after allegedly buying cocaine, the Diocese of Scranton confirmed Friday.

The Rev. James Shimsky, 50, has been on a leave of absence since Feb. 1 from his position at Corpus Christi Church on Montdale Road in the St. John Vianny parish, diocese spokesman Bill Genello said.

The Rev. Shimsky was arrested Jan. 30 and charged with drug purchase and possession, according to court records. His arraignment is scheduled for March 4.

Police said the Rev. Shimsky had a "small quantity" of cocaine when narcotics officers stopped him in a silver Jeep Liberty in a northern part of the city, according to a report in The Philadelphia Inquirer. He was witnessed engaging in a drug deal at 10:40 a.m. on the 3300 block of North Fifth Street, The Inquirer said.

73 posted comments

I KEEP THIS LETTER I WROTE TO GOD/DEAR LORD, WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG FOR ME TO SEE THE LIGHT? WHY WAS I SO NARROW-MINDED? YOU SENT A MESSENGER TO GUIDE ME ON THE RIGHT PATH. THIS PERSON BEFRIENDED ME AND TOOK AN INTEREST IN MY STRUGGLING WITH DRUGS. I DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS EVEN AWARE OF MY ADDICTION. HE DID NOT LECTURE, SHAME, JUDGE OR CONDEMN ME. HE WAS PATIENT AND A GOOD LISTENER. WHEN I BECAME STRONG ENOUGH; HE LEFT ME. I MISS HIM AND PRAY FOR HIM. I KNOW NOW WHY THE YOU PLACED HIM IN MY LIFE. LORD, YOU DO WORK IN STRANGE WAYS.YOU LOVE ALL YOUR CHILDREN AND I WILL NEVER DOUBT YOUR DIVINE MERCY AGAIN. I HAVE A HORRIBLE REPUTATION IN THIS SMALL TOWN AND I EARNED IT. BUT REDEMPTION IS SUCH A FEELING OF PEACE THAT A MANUFACTURED CHEMICAL CAN'T SUPPLY. THE MORE THE DRUG HAD A HOLD ON ME; THE MORE I CRIED OUT TO YOU. IF NOT FOR YOUR LOVE AND THIS GOD FEARING MAN YOU PLACED IN MY LIFE; I WOULDN'T BE HERE TO SHARE YOUR AWESOME WORKS. MY FAMILY FORGIVES ME BUT THEY HAVE A HARD TIME TRUSTING ME. I TRY TO EARN THEIR TRUST AND ITS COMFORTING NOT BEING ALONE AND AFRAID EVERY WAKING DAY NOW THAT I'M CLEAN. PEOPLE DO CARE ABOUT THEIR NEIGHBORS BUT SOMETIMES THE DON'T KNOW HOW TO BE FRIENDLY. THEY ARE AFRAID OF DOING OR SAYING SOMETHING THAT MIGHT MAKE MATTERS WORSE INSTEAD OF BETTER SO THEY DON'T SAY ANYTHING. TODAY I SMILE AND SAY HELLO TO ALL WHO PASS ME BY. I PRAY WHEREVER I AM AND TAKE IN ALL OF YOUR CREATION. THINGS I NEVER PAID ATTENTION TO BEFORE SIMPLE AMAZE ME. I'M LIKE A CURIOUS CHILD AND EVERYTHING MAKES ME EXCITED. I LOOK FORWARD TO A NEW DAY AND A NEW CHALLENGE. LORD YOU GAVE ME ANOTHER CHANCE; A NEW LIFE. I MUST HELP OTHERS WHO SUFFER ALSO. I LOVE YOU, LORD FOREVER YOURS p.s. I framed this letter and placed it next my Valentine gift this year. You guessed it! A BIBLE.

Here is what I know about Fr. Jim - from my experience, he seems to be a wonderful, compassionate, and loving person. So he is human and has some flaws. Perhaps we should be showing him some compassion and understanding as well.

As far as condemning the catholic church every time there is a story about someone in the church doing something less than ideal - makes about as much sense to me as taking your children out of school just because there is a story about a teacher somewhere doing something bad. People are human, we all have flaws. Unfortunately for the clergy, when something happens within the church, it is sensationalized.

As far as I'm concerned, I am better off for having had Fr. Jim for a priest, and I will be praying for a recovery for him.

I was raised a Catholic.... if anyone questions the church in any way... other obedient Catholics say they a "Catholic bashing".... this blind obedience is not good for the Church and allowed many abuses long before the phediphile (sorry ... sp.) scandal.

JPP you call the posters here bigots. Thats funny. Where do you get off telling us "its none of your business". I'm thankful that I'm not one of the sheep who finances these losers. Keep your head down and your wallet open...you'll surely find heaven that way. Good luck. Baaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I was raised a Catholic, but now thankfully belong to another Church. The Catholic Church just covers up everything and sadly people never insist on transparency. Problem priests are just transferred to another Church. No wonder so many parishes and schools are closing. It is very sad and the leadership of the Church is to blame.

Humble, I'm probably a little older than you but I remember when the Protestant settlements in early America would ban Catholics and Jews from living or doing commerce within their villages. I mean, we're not talking fornication here. I remember when Southern Baptists and Protestant Fundamentalists would ban Blacks, Catholics, and Jews (not necessarily in that order) from participating in society, eating in their restaurants, or attending their schools, like Bob Jones University. I remember Jerry Falwell, Dick Cheney....well, you get the picture. Therefore, there is a 49.72% chance that a Protestant cop from the City of Brotherly Love would plant the dope on a Catholic priest. It's in their DNA.

How many priests are in the diocese? I really don't know, but I'd bet the percentage of priests doing crazy things (molesting children, doing coke, and accidentally showing naked men to their congregation) is higher than any other business of the same size. If this were a tavern, it'd be closed down as a crime haven to protect the citizens of the community. If you good Catholics can't recognize something is very wrong here...just keep your head down and your wallet open. Good luck sheep. The shephards are wasted.

Priesthood is a lonely, lonely life and the dioceses around the nation do not provide mechanisms for emotional support to the priests. They put them in parishes and expect them to exist for Holy Mother Church but there is no support. Time for a married clergy

TO J. BREN -- DON`T BRING THE PROTESTANTS INTO TO IT.THEY HAVE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS, AND DON`T NEED SOMEONE LIKE YOU TO ACCUSE THEM FOR A FALLEN PRIEST. WHAT HE DID, HE DID TO HIMSELF. AND WHY WOULD YOU SAY A PROTESTANT COP? SOUNDS LIKE YOU DON`T LIKE PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE A DIFFERENT RELIGION FROM YOU. WAKE UP ND SMELL THE COFFEE. AMERICA IS A MELTING POT, SO I THINK YOU SHOULD GET USE TO IT. SELF PRIDE STINKS, AND I CAN SMELL IT FROM HERE.

My opinion is everyone has their demons and no one is perfect. I pray for Father Jim and hope that he is able to beat his addiction. My problem is again the diocese tried to hide this. We were told to pray for Father and that he was sick and hopefully would be back soon. We all heard rumors of heart problems etc. Why couldn't they have been honest with us? It was very hurtful to learn of this on the morning news. Our congregation is supposed to be a family. We should have been told the truth. I feel that the diocese does not care about its flock at all.

Lots of people do a toot before heading out to the clubs in Philly. You know, you don't want to go on the prowl stone sober. The was people are acting here you would swear this guy was a priest or something....lighten up already.